The weather gods have finally been playing the game, and the fishing around Cairns has been about as good as it gets! Low winds for days on end allowed local anglers to get offshore and there have been some incredible captures; black marlin, nannygai, coral trout and beyond. Spanish mackerel as of today are back on the target list after a month-long closure, while there's only 2 days left to chase saltwater barramundi as closed season starts November 1st for 3 long months. Many anglers have focused their efforts on targeting barra while they can. Mangrove jack and salmon have also been on the list as warmer water continues to produce quality fish from the estuaries. Freshwater systems also produced a number of fish on ultra-light tackle. From deep water and heavy tackle to jungle perch on ultra-light, the past week has had it all!
Black marlin estimated 800lb caught by Rhys Trin aboard Reg Moore's boat, Iluka.
Richard Purse enticed a SOLID barramundi off a local beach.
Daly Guest - OuttatheBlueFNQ, with a cracking jungle perch.
Reef Fishing
The recent run of low winds has given anglers some fantastic opportunities to head offshore. With such a long run of good weather and so many locals who got out, just about every aspect of fishing the reef was covered. Some anglers focused on pelagics, others on demersals and some catching both even by accident. There were plenty of fish to be caught!
Large-mouth nannygai, hard fighting and one of the highest quality table fish.
Pennant fish, not often are these fish brought over the gunwale! A happy accident whilst trying to catch more nannygai.
The deeper wonky holes and isolated patches of reef have been producing some cracking nannygai, while coral trout have been responding well to both fresh baits and lures around the reef edges and bommies. Emperors and sweetlips have been caught throughout. Paternoster rigs for baiting are a great way to present bait such as squid, cuttlefish heads or pilchards. Bringing some of each type of bait to ensure you have options is essential, and the same applies to luring. Slow pitch jigs and vibes in a few colours and sizes (various weights) ensure anglers have options, especially while they are far from a Tackle World.
Cracking large-mouth nannygai during the recent run of good weather.
Paddy Ganly - Solid passionfruit trout!
Josh Taylor - Spangled emperor.
Paddy Ganly - Redthroat emperor.
Closer to the shelf around reef edges and shoaly patches, the range of species changes compared to shallower ground, though techniques to catch remain the same. Slow pitch jigging and vibing or using bait such as squid, cuttlefish or pilchards has produced.
Josh Taylor - Robinson's sea bream.
Sebastian Mannix got out wide landing a quality green jobfish.
Kynan Loadsman - Coronation trout caught on a 150mm Nomad Squidtrex.
With the Spanish mackerel closure finishing on 29 October, anglers can once again target these popular pelagics, subject to the usual fishing regulations. Black marlin are still on the cards for those keen to push the limits in heavy tackle. Rhys Trin aboard the vessel Iluka managed to go 2-2 on a recent trip out wide. Using 60kg Shimano rods and Shimano Tiagra 130, Rhys landed an estimated 800lb black marlin.
Rhys Trin - Black marlin.
Rhys Trin - Black marlin 2.
Estuaries & Creeks
It's all about the barra at the moment!
With the saltwater barramundi closed season kicking off on November 1st, this Friday and Saturday are your final opportunities to target a salty before the three-month break. There have been A LOT of barra photos sent to the inbox the past week which is incredible to see. Plenty of locals have been getting out to try their hand at catching a barra before season closure, and plenty succeeding.
Damo (Tackle World Cairns) - Barramundi took a liking to the Chasebaits Prawn.
Allan Cook - Healthy saltwater barramundi extracted from a local estuary.
The warmer conditions have really fired up the barra, with some impressive metre-plus fish caught throughout the local systems. Large paddle-tail plastics, prawns and hardbody lures have all been getting results. Fish are being caught throughout systems and coastlines; creek mouths, rock bars, drains, mangrove edges, along the beaches and headlands. The fish are ACTIVE and will stay that way through the closed season as they spawn. On Sunday the efforts will shift to Tinaroo Dam, where barra can still be targeted over the next 3 months.
Allan Cook - had success over multiple days chasing salty barra.
Bill West - Quality saltwater barramundi alongside Allan Cook.
Atti, Tackle World Cairns employee - Barramundi off the esplanade.
Other species such as mangrove jack and salmon (threadfin and blue) have also been getting more aggressive as the water warms. Quality fish taking plastics and hardbodies worked tight to structure triggering the bite from mangrove jack. Soft vibes, prawns and hardbodies cast around river mouths, deeper channels and mud flats when targeting salmon species. Live prawns and live herring are highly effective for both.
Allan Cook - finding a quality mangrove jack!
Stefan - Mangrove jack fired up in the local systems.
Stefan - Managed a solid blue salmon from the beach.
Tinaroo & Freshwater
Tinaroo Dam continues to produce some absolute monsters!
The warmer water has the big barra on the move, with surface lures, large paddle tails and swimbaits all producing results. Early mornings remain a prime time to chase those trophy fish, although anglers have also been finding active fish throughout the day.
For those chasing something a little lighter, the freshwater creeks have been producing quality jungle perch, sooty grunter and khaki grunter on ultra-light tackle. Anglers utilised small lures roughly 80mm/3in or less, both surface and subsurface, to trigger the bite.
Jason Povis slow rolling a 3.25in Daiwa Kikker Curly Frog rigged with Shinto Assists across the surface caught a quality khaki grunter.
Daly Guest - OuttatheBlueFNQ, with a cracking jungle perch.
7 Day Outlook
Things are looking pretty good for the weekend!
The current forecast is calling for east to southeasterly winds offshore from Cairns around 10 to 12 knots on Friday, dropping out to roughly 6 knots Saturday, before increasing slightly on Sunday but staying under 10 knots.
Saturday especially is looking prime to get out wide and have a full day on the reef in glass-out conditions, but as always, check the latest forecast before heading out.
During the week, winds are currently forecasted to be around 6 knots every day offshore from Cairns. This is subject to change. If the forecast holds, the far north is looking at an incredible start to November with multiple opportunities to get offshore!
Cairns and surrounds have been treated to some incredible weather of late with more to come! (photo from Damo).
Final Word
Whether you're heading wide for a feed of reef fish, sneaking in one last salty barra session or chasing a monster at Tinaroo, there's plenty happening around Far North Queensland.
Remember, the saltwater barramundi closure starts Sunday, 1 November, so make sure you're across the rules before wetting a line.
Drop into Cairns Tackle World for the latest local advice, fresh bait, lures and everything you need for the weekend ahead.
Locals supporting locals since 1989!
Tight lines and have a cracking weekend! 🎣
Need gear, bait or just a bit of local advice?
Swing by Cairns Tackle World at 172 Aumuller Street, Bungalow to chat with your local independent fishing experts.